History and Reminiscences of the Philadelphia Almshouse and Philadelphia Hospital (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1890. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... historical memoranda of the philadelphia almshouse. By charles K. mills, M.D. The most important medical facts relating to the period which his essay covers are given by Dr. Agnew, but to many events of interest he simply alludes, and to some of the details connected with the history of the almshouse system in Philadelphia, which are in a broad sense part of its medical history, he does not refer. In the following pages, therefore, some of the facts given will be in the nature of addenda to his history of the hospital. Some of the documents relating to the almshouse are of importance to an exact knowledge of the history of the institution; such, for instance, are: the act of 1828, for the erection of a new almshouse; the original deed of the property purchased by the city in Blockley township; the act of 1861 for the sale of the almshouse grounds or any parts thereof; and the ordinance of councils of 1883 setting aside a portion of the almshouse property for a public park. We have, therefore, at the expense of space, considered it worth while to give these documents, or large extracts from them. The history of the Philadelphia Hospital, with which this volume is particularly concerned, is so intermingled with that of the almshouse system in general, and with numerous official acts for the relief of the poor, that a knowledge of these is necessary to an understanding of the hospital and its relations. Descriptions of the almshouse at its three locations may prove of future as well as present value, as may also a consideration of the history of the various forms of government of the poor and of the institutions concerned with their care and treatment. Dr. Agnew began his history at 1742, with the general statement that the Philadelphia Almshouse was at that time ...